BORIS Johnson has been given a £23,000 “war chest” by the election strategist that masterminded his victorious mayoral campaigns.

The donation from Sir Lynton Crosby fuelled speculation that the former foreign secretary is preparing for an imminent leadership contest as Theresa May battles to keep her Brexit plans on track. Details of the package were released in parliamentary transparency records. The documents showed that Sir Lynton’s firm, CTF Partners Limited, gave Mr Johnson an interest free loan of £20,000 for office and staffing costs.

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On top of that the company donated £3,000 for the same purpose, according to the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.

Sir Lynton was last year linked to plotting by members of the European Research Group of Brexiteer Tories to kill off the Prime Minister’s Chequer’s blueprint for future relations with Brussels.

The Australian elections guru, whose nickname is the Wizard of Oz, was credited with helping Mr Johnson to a surprise mayoral election victory in London in 2008 and then holding on to the position four years later.

He was also a key figure in securing David Cameron’s shock general election majority in 2015.

But Mrs May’s aides blamed him for her disastrous snap election campaign two years later.

Sir Lynton’s company promises “research, strategies and results” and offers polling and market research services.

He is said to now be “referendum-ready” and work is reportedly being carried out on how to respond if a re-run poll is held.